South Korean Doctors Launch Nationwide Walkout Over Medical School Spots

The largest lobby group for doctors in South Korea has called for a nationwide walkout to protest the government’s decision to increase medical school seats. Approximately 20,000 doctors are expected to participate in the street protest near parliament in Seoul. While medical facilities and emergency rooms will remain open, there may be strains on the healthcare system due to reduced staffing. Despite the government’s plans to order community hospitals to resume work, 4% of these hospitals have reported closures in response to the labor action. President Yoon Suk-yeol’s administration aims to increase medical school enrollments by 1,500 slots next year to address the severe doctor shortage in the country. The walkout, ongoing since February, highlights concerns about fundamental issues within the healthcare system, such as physician shortages in certain specialties and geographic areas, alongside challenges in malpractice regulations and physicians’ earning power. Amidst public and patient concerns, some organizations have urged doctors to end the walkouts, emphasizing the need for stable healthcare services. Despite government efforts to mitigate the impacts of the labor action, including deploying military doctors to civilian facilities, the dispute continues as doctors push for more significant changes to address systemic issues within the healthcare sector.